Seasonal

With Earth Day just around the corner, here are some entertaining tips for hosting a sustainable, yet stylish affair. Follow our advice, and you will see that being eco-chic can be good for the planet, as well as your pocketbook!

COCKTAILS

The brightness of an Apple Sour is the perfect cocktail for an eco-chic gathering. Mix Stirrings® Apple Martini Mixer with Smirnoff Sours Green Apple for a sweet signature drink that has just the right amount of sour flavor. For a non-alcoholic option, mix Stirrings® Apple Martini Mixer and Stirrings® Lemon Drop Mixer with club soda for a refreshing springtime fizz.

FOOD

When designing your spring menu, think about sourcing your ingredients from your local greenmarket, which will feature products from small family run farms and food purveyors. Your produce, cheese, meat and fish will likely be fresher since it’s traveled a shorter distance to reach your table.

Let the seasonal offerings of the greenmarket inspire you to create your own farm table filled with all natural cured meats, artisan cheeses, organic fruits and vegetables, homemade preserves and freshly baked breads.

Serving a whole poached salmon with fennel and lemon looks elegant on your buffet table and easily feeds a group. A savory pasta salad with arugula, tomatoes, toasted pine nuts and fresh mozzarella is a simple dish that can be served at room temperature.

DECOR

The first rule of eco-chic entertaining is to reuse what you already have! Don’t rush out to buy occasion specific tableware or unnecessary gadgets. Instead, get a little creative with repurposing everyday items for your event.

Empty tea canisters can make unique vessels for flower arrangements, while mismatched glassware can be grouped together for an original way to display vegetables or snack food, such as nuts and popcorn.

Instead of centerpieces of cut flowers, which can be expensive and wasteful, try using potted plants, which last longer and can even be given to guests as parting gifts! Small potted herbs in terracotta look and smell amazing, and you’re your dinner table a rustic look.

Or, use fruits and vegetables to decorate your dinner table. A clear vase filled with lemons and limes is a modern and chic way to bring a pop of color into the room. Another eco-chic trick is to use vegetables as vessels to present food. Bell peppers can be cut in half and filled with dip for a vegetable platter. Small squash can be hollowed out and used for soup bowls. Eco-chic is all about creativity!

COCKTAILApple Sour

3 oz. Stirrings® Apple Martini Mixer

1.5 oz. Smirnoff Sours Green Apple

Place a slice of green apple in a martini glass.
Shake the Smirnoff Sours Green Apple and the Stirrings® Apple Martini Mixer over ice and strain into the martini glass.

MOCKTAILGreen Apple Spritzer

1.5 oz. Stirrings® Apple Martini Mixer

1.5 oz. Stirrings® Lemon Drop Martini Mixer

Splash of lemon-flavored soda water

Fill a tall glass with ice and apple slices.
Pour in the Stirrings® Apple Martini Mixer and the Stirrings® Lemon Drop Mixer.
Top with the lemon flavored soda water. Yum!

Spring is in the air thanks to these on trend, seasonally inspired sips! Whether you’re searching for that perfect springy brunch cocktail or just looking for a simple porch sipper, the cocktail gurus at Stirrings have got you covered. Here are some of the trends, as we contemplate lighter food and an active outdoor lifestyle during the warmer months.

Herbs & Spices in the mix

It’s easy to add a new twist to a favorite cocktail by just adding in some interesting spices and/or herbs.
Try adding thyme to your favorite Lemon Drop martini recipe, or include basil in your mojito. All you need to do to make the “Lemon Thyme Martini” is place fresh thyme into your cocktail shaker and bruise it, using your bar muddler or the back of a spoon. Then, add your Stirrings Lemon Drop Mixer and your alcohol of choice. For this recipe, we recommend vodka or gin. So tasty!

Apple Cider and Ginger Beer Based Cocktails

Have you noticed that craft drinkers have embraced hard ciders and ginger beers? They’re delicious on their own, but they also make fantastic lower-alcohol cocktails. Try this interesting, low-alcohol version of a Moscow Mule:
Mix 3 oz Stirrings Cosmopolitan Mixer with 3 oz Ginger Beer, and you have a great Cranberry Ginger Mule! Or, mix 3 oz Stirrings Apple Mixer with 3 oz Hard Cider and you have a juicy apple of a spring spritzer.

Tea with Everything!

There are so many tea varieties out there that can make fantastic cocktails (everything from chai to chamomile to fruit flavored), and bartenders across the world have been using them as powerful flavoring agents in their creations. Try a Chai Bourbon Smash by making a cup of chai tea (not the creamy coffee shop version, but the straight, spice infused tea). Let the tea cool to room temperature, then mix together 2 oz Chai Tea, 3 oz Stirrings Peach Bellini, and 1.5 oz of Honey Bourbon.
Below are a couple of other recipes for you to enjoy:
Cheers,
Team Stirrings

COCKTAILRum Crusta

1 oz Captain Morgan White Rum

0.5 oz Triple Sec

3 oz Stirrings Lemon Drop Martini Mixer

Garnish: Lemon Drop Rimmer

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain into a well-chilled martini glass rimmed with Stirrings Lemon Drop Rimmer.

COCKTAILCoconut Mojito

1.5 oz Captain Morgan Coconut Rumt

3 oz Stirrings Mojito Mixer

Splash of Soda Water

Garnish: Mint Sprig

Pour Captain Morgan Coconut Rum and Stirrings Mojito Mixer into a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously, and pour into a tall glass. Top with a splash of soda water. Garnish with mint.

This entry was posted in Seasonal and tagged Spring on March 22, 2017 by matta.

Dreaming of an exotic vacation but just can’t seem to get away? Hosting a theme party inspired by your desired destination might be the perfect antidote to your wanderlust.

We’ve chosen beautiful Morocco as our party theme because of its rich entertaining tradition and visually stunning design. Throw together a few colorful accent pieces with some mood lighting to set the scene. Then prepare a menu of fragrant foods served family style and, of course, a festive cocktail to welcome and transport guests to your Night in Marrakesh!

COCKTAILS

The signature drink of Morocco, green tea with mint, is served all day and night to visitors that come into your home. The act of serving tea to your guests is a sign of hospitality and friendship.

Inspired by these refreshing flavors, we suggest you offer your party guests a Honey Mint Lemonade Cooler, which is made from Stirrings® Simple™ Lemon Drop and Stirrings® Simple™ Mojito Mixers, honey and freshly chopped mint. Add a dash of vodka to turn it into an elegant evening cocktail that will pair well with the spice-laden foods of Morocco.

FOOD

Moroccan cuisine is a mélange of flavors from the Middle East, Africa, and the Mediterranean. Spices are at the heart of all of these recipes and enrich all of the slow-cooked savory stews and buttery meats.

Cooked and served in colorful tagines (ceramic or clay cookware with a domed lid), these vegetable and meat stews are served family style with a side of couscous.

DECOR

When it comes to theme parties, the biggest planning pitfall is going overboard with the theme itself. It’s all about bringing together a few key elements of event design to create an ambiance and mood. You don’t have to be literal to give your guests an extraordinary experience – sent the backdrop by infusing your home with a palate of Moroccan inspired colors, and let their imaginations fill in the rest.

COCKTAILMoroccan Delight

1.5 oz. Stirrings® Lemon Drop Mixer

1.5 oz. Stirrings® Mojito Mixer

1.5 oz. Ketel One Vodka

Fresh Chopped Mint

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Strain into in a tall glass filled with ice. Garnish with lemon wedge.

MOCKTAILMoroccan Spritzer

2 oz. Stirrings® Lemon Drop Mixer

2 oz. Stirrings® Mojito Mixer

Splash of Soda Water

Fresh Chopped Mint

Combine Stirrings® Mixers and Fresh Chopped Mint in a tall glass, and top with a splash of soda water.

Spring fever may have everyone venturing out on the town to play, but we know that sometimes, the most fun can be found right in your own backyard. Host a friendly barbecue and invite everyone to your place for a day or night of chowing down and drinking up!

COCKTAILS

It’s the season for fresh cocktails with a citrus twist, like the Stirrings® Kiwi Drop. Mix Stirrings® Lemon Drop mixer with Smirnoff Citrus Flavored Vodka for a fresh tasting drink your guests will love. Garnish with a slice of kiwi at the bottom of your glass for a pop of color. We like making a big batch of this cocktail before the party starts, adding thin slices of lemon and kiwi and putting it into a large pitcher or glass carafe for guests to serve themselves.

When the night air is warm, make sure you have plenty of mocktails available to keep everyone hydrated. Pitchers filled with water and thinly sliced wheels of lemon and orange look chic on your bar and remind guests that non-alcoholic drinks are on hand – especially for your designated driver!

FOOD

One of our favorite summer menus includes a mouthwatering pulled pork sandwich that has all the best elements of a barbecue with no time spent manning the grill. It’s a great dish to prepare the night before and can be made in bulk to easily serve a large group of hungry guests. Serve the savory and sweet pork with homemade BBQ sauce and cool, creamy coleslaw on a toasted hamburger bun or ciabatta roll.

In our opinion, the key to a successful barbecue is the quality of the meat on the table as well as the variety of tasty condiments to pair. Besides the classic choices of ketchup, mustard and relish, why not whip up a gourmet sauce like chipotle aioli, which adds a smoky richness to all types of burgers, sandwiches and wraps.

DECOR

Entertaining outdoors on a terrace or in a backyard is a relaxed way to unwind with friends and neighbors, without the fuss of a formal, seated meal. Keep your event casual by letting people come and go as they please, open house style.

If you are lucky enough to have a patch of grass to call your own, encourage your guests to play yard games. Leaving out a croquet set or a few badminton racquets will start some friendly competition, or at least help burn off some of the calories from the BBQ feast!

Music will set the stage for many more nights of cocktails and conversation so don’t forget to create a start-of-summer playlist of some new and classic tunes. By the end of the season, the songs will bring back some fond memories.

COCKTAILKiwi-Lemon Drop Martini

1.5oz Ketel One Citroen Vodka

3oz Stirrings® Lemon Drop Mixer

Slices of Fresh Kiwi and Fresh Lemon

Shake vodka and Lemon Drop Mixer over ice.

MOCKTAILKiwi Lemon Drop Mocktail

3 oz. Stirrings® Lemon Drop Mixer

2 oz. Lemon Flavored Sparkling Water

Slice of Fresh Kiwi and Slice of Fresh Lemon

Place ice and fresh fruit into a tall glass pour in Stirrings® Lemon Drop Mixer. Top with lemon-flavored sparkling water.

On a warm summer evening with the night sky filled with stars, what could be better than hosting a little dinner party al fresco? Whether on a terrace, roof deck, backyard or beach, finding some outdoor space to commandeer for the night is the first step to planning your event. Then, all you need is a group of your favorite people and an effortless summer menu that can be enjoyed in the great outdoors.

COCKTAILS

Keep the mood festive by setting up a sangria station at your outdoor dinner party. If you are close to the house, use a punch bowl so guests can help themselves. A piece of cheesecloth draped over the bowl will keep out any bugs. For dinners that need to be set up further away, use an acrylic pitcher with a cover for easy transport and serving.

Our Citrus Sangria Punch is a vibrantly colored cocktail filled with slices of oranges, lemons and limes for decoration and extra citrus flavor. Combine Stirrings® Blood Orange Mixer and Stirrings® Pomegranate Mixer with vodka and red wine for a refreshing tasting beverage to toast to the summer season.

FOOD

he trick to dining outdoors is to prepare food that isn’t too delicate – items that do not need precision heating or timing and won’t wilt or fall apart in transit. Food that can be transferred from the grill to the plate in an instant is a good choice. Sauces and marinades that are packed with flavor and can be made in advance are a great choice too!

We recommend serving a grilled tuna loin with salsa verde and a sugar snap pea salad with mint and almonds. Both recipes are very easy to prepare, but your guests don’t need to know that! The grilled tuna steak is an elegant dish with bright colors and bold flavors, while the sugar snap peas have lots of texture and crunch. Place bowls of olives seasoned with chili flakes and olive oil on the table so guests can snack on them before dinner begins.

DECOR

The great outdoors provides a naturally beautiful backdrop to your dinner party. Think about elements that can enhance what you are already working with. If you have a stunning view, invite guests over to enjoy a cocktail while the sun is setting. Those dining in a garden should incorporate some of the same flowers into smaller arrangements on the table.

Creating an ambiance with lighting is important, especially since you may be working with almost no light at all when the sun sets. Large candles should be covered by glass hurricanes to protect the flame from the wind. Using gas lanterns to illuminate the bar and key areas of your event will cast a warm glow.

COCKTAILCitrus Sangria Punch

1.5 oz. Smirnoff Raspberry Pomegranate Sorbet Light

1.5 oz. Stirrings® Blood Orange Mixer

1.5 oz. Stirrings® Pomegranate Mixer

2 oz. Red Wine

Combine all ingredients in a wine glass filled with ice, and stir. Add fresh fruit such as orange segments and grapes to garnish.

MOCKTAILVirgin Citrus Sangria Punch

1.5oz Stirrings® Blood Orange Mixer

1.5oz Stirrings® Pomegranate Mixer

2oz Orange Seltzer

Combine all ingredients in a wine glass filled with ice, and stir. Add fresh fruit such as orange segments and grapes to garnish.

When the autumn leaves begin to change colors from green, to golden yellow, to vibrant burgundy; when apple season is just beginning; and when the local produce is plentiful, there is no better time to have friends over for a Harvest Celebration. The weather is still warm enough to start the party outside, and as the light fades, you can light a bonfire or move inside around the fireplace for dessert. So before you settle in for a long winter’s night, why not host a party that celebrates the ending of summer with Stirrings®?

COCKTAILS

Whether you are going to have a larger crowd or a smaller more intimate group of friends over, it’s great to begin with late afternoon cocktails served outside in the yard or on the deck. Pomegranate Martinis are seasonal, easy to prepare, and delicious.

FOOD

Some good food options for any fall harvest party stem from popular fall foods. Head to your local farmers market and explore what is fresh and in season. Traditional fall foods like apples, pumpkins, and even corn are a great starting point for any fall gathering. Hosting a potluck dinner where everyone can bring a dish featuring seasonal fruits or vegetables is a great opportunity for sharing recipes and learning new culinary ideas.

DECOR

Decorate the area with popular fall decor such as corn stalks, mums and pumpkins. Create table toppers with mini gourds hollowed out to house a small votive candle, creating a lovely soft lighting effect.

COCKTAILRaspberry Pomegranate Martini

1.3 oz. Smirnoff Sorbet Light Raspberry Pomegranate

3 oz. Stirrings® Pomegranate Mixer

Place fresh raspberries into a martini glassShake the Smirnoff Sorbet Light Raspberry Pomegranate and the Stirrings® Pomegranate Mixer over ice, strain and pour into the martini glass.For a little extra decadence, rim the glass with Stirrings® Cosmopolitan Rimmer before pouring your drink!

MOCKTAILPomegranate Spritzer

3 oz. Stirrings® Pomegranate Mixer

3 oz. Raspberry flavored soda water

Fresh Raspberries

Place raspberries into a champagne flute.Pour in the Stirrings® Pomegranate Mixer and top with the raspberry-flavored soda water.

“Summertime and the living is easy;” the famous song lyric reminds us that entertaining this season should be relaxed and effortless. Whether you are lounging poolside or hosting a party at the beach, get inspired by the freshness of the local farm stand and the spectacular colors of the great outdoors. We’ve gathered some simple recipes and bright ideas to help you host some fun in the summer sun!

COCKTAILS

Watermelon is undoubtedly the iconic fruit of summer, so why not add it to the season’s most popular cocktail, the margarita? Stirrings® created the Spicy Watermelon Margarita by combining the sweet cooling notes of watermelon with a little heat – in this case tequila and a dash of cayenne. For some added fizz, top with tonic water.

Always have a non-alcoholic option for the designated drivers and younger guests in the group. For a chilly mocktail, blend frozen chunks of fresh watermelon with Stirrings® Watermelon Mixer. In the summer heat, it’s important to stay hydrated, so keep cold bottles of water handy so guests can help themselves throughout the day.

FOOD

At a party where your guests are likely to be dressed in bikinis, shorts and sarongs, it’s best to keep your summer menu filled with recipes that are light on calories, yet full of flavor. While the heat might curb some appetites, our guess is that all of the frolicking on the beach and games in the pool will make guests reach for a savory snack.

For a summer fun feast, friends Claudine Revere and Chef Arvin Dhansew at Relish Caterers, known for their one-of-a-kind events and seasonally inspired cuisine, created a menu that would work for all types of outdoor gatherings.
Using affordable and easy-to-find ingredients, often from the local farmers market, their menu includes: organic chicken sandwiches with grilled onions, tomato chutney, and crisp iceberg lettuce on toasted brioche; skewered watermelon, feta cheese and tomato salad with mint and raspberry emulsion; and olive oil steamed baby potatoes with rosemary and garlic.

For something sweet, they recommend serving honey grilled summer peaches with sweetened yogurt and crumbled lady fingers. This super simple recipe can be prepared with mascarpone and granola for some variety.

DECOR

To make your pool party look like a chic cabana at a boutique hotel, find plush towels in one or two shades that compliment each other, and alternate them on deck chairs. Roll up extra towels and place them in galvanized bins around the pool. Bring out a large wicker hamper so used towels are kept out of sight. For some simple pool décor, buy blow-up beach balls in various sizes and throw them all in the pool for some color and instant fun!

Any outdoor event calls for non-breakable tableware, so stick to acrylic glasses for your cocktails and melamine dishes in pretty patterns. Serving trays with covers are helpful in keeping out pesky bugs or sand from your delicious dishes.

COCKTAILSpicy Watermelon Margarita

1.5 oz. Don Julio Tequila

2 oz. Stirrings® Watermelon Mixer

1 oz. Stirrings® Margarita Mixer

Dash Cayenne

Shake all ingredients over ice and strain into a rocks glass packed with ice.Garnish with a slice of watermelon or lime.

MOCKTAILBlended Watermelon Slushie

1 Large slice of watermelon cut into cubes

3 oz. Stirrings® Watermelon Mixer

Place ingredients in a blender and add ½ cup of ice.Blend till smooth; pour into a tall glass, and drizzle Stirrings® Authentic Grenadine on the top.

On a warm summer night with the sky filled with stars, what could be better than hosting a little dinner party Al Fresco?
The only thing better than a serene sunset is enjoying it with delicious food, friends and a refreshing tasting cocktail in hand. Whether on a terrace, roof deck, backyard or beach, finding some outdoor space to commandeer for the night is the first step to planning your event. Then all you need is a group of your favorite people and an effortless summer menu that can be enjoyed in the great outdoors.

Keep the mood festive by setting up a punch bowl station at your outdoor dinner party. Punch bowls are fun and easy to use, the guests can serve themselves, or you could use the same punch recipe and serve it in pitchers. (Also easy to use.)

Stirrings has created 2 easy to make delicious punch recipes: Check them out below.

Food

The trick to dining outdoors is to prepare food that isn’t too delicate- items that do not need precision heating or timing and won’t wilt or fall apart in transit. Food that can be transferred from the grill to the plate in an instant is a good choice. Sauces and marinades that are packed with flavor and can be made in advance are a great choice too!

Décor

The great outdoors provides a naturally beautiful backdrop to your dinner party.
Think about elements that can enhance what you are already working with. If you have a stunning view, invite guests over to enjoy a cocktail while the sun is setting. Those dining in a garden could incorporate some of the same flowers into smaller arrangements on the table.

COCKTAILRosemary Lemon Punch

1.5 oz Ketel One Citroen

3 oz Stirrings Lemon Drop Martini Mixer

Fresh Rosemary

Garnish: Rosemary Sprig

Method: Combine all ingredients in a Shaker with ice. Shake Vigorously
Pour into a rocks glass and garnish with Rosemary Sprig.

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